Week Eight Highlights: Engaged Liberal Arts Center (CELA)
Oberlin College's Center for Engaged Liberal Arts Empowering Students
Oberlin College's Center for Engaged Liberal Arts (CELA) is a hub for experiential learning, offering a diverse range of opportunities for students to engage in undergraduate research, community engagement, entrepreneurship, study away programs, Winter Term projects, internships, career communities, and fellowships.
At the heart of CELA is undergraduate research. Through programs like the Oberlin Summer Research Institute (OSRI), students delve into designing experiments, analyzing results, and gaining hands-on research experience across various disciplines, such as science, neuroscience, environmental studies, and more. Research often commences during Winter Term and may continue over the summer or academic year [1][2][3][4].
CELA also integrates community engagement by connecting students with social justice and service opportunities, fostering collaborative learning with local communities. The Bonner Center for Community-Engaged Learning is a key component of this effort.
In terms of entrepreneurship, CELA encourages innovative thinking and practical application of ideas, supporting students interested in launching ventures or social enterprises. Oberlin's entrepreneurship programs offer one-on-one mentorship and funding opportunities through the "Pathfinder" program.
For students seeking international or domestic study away experiences, CELA provides over 125 semester or year-long study away programs across 40 countries on six continents. Over 250 Obies study away annually, gaining immersive educational experiences outside the Oberlin campus.
Winter Term, a distinctive one-month term in January, offers project-based learning without regular classes, where students undertake intensive research, creative projects, internships, or community work [3].
CELA also facilitates access to internships that provide professional experience and skill development related to students’ academic and career interests. In addition, career communities are structured groups that connect students with alumni, faculty, and resources aligned with specific career paths to foster mentoring, networking, and career readiness.
CELA supports applications for competitive fellowships that fund research, travel, public service, and other scholarly endeavors. Oberlin is a top producer of Fulbright awards nationally, with over 220 alumni in the Fulbright Student Program.
Furthermore, CELA offers connections with professional staff and peer mentors to help students put academic learning into action. The Fellowships and Awards office assists students applying for nationally competitive programs in various fields.
During Winter Term, students can embark on a four-week immersive experience, either independently or in a group. They can explore internship and study abroad opportunities, work on their learning portfolios, learn from community organizers and nonprofits, find a research mentor, and join a research cohort at CELA.
The Bonner Center at Oberlin connects students with organizations involved in social change and public service, providing opportunities for students to engage in meaningful and impactful work.
These elements collectively promote engaged, interdisciplinary learning tailored to student interests and goals, blending academic inquiry with real-world application [1][2][3][4].
Through Oberlin College's Center for Engaged Liberal Arts (CELA), students have the opportunity to partake in personal growth and education-and-self-development, as they dive into undergraduate research, community engagement, and entrepreneurship. CELA's programs, such as the Oberlin Summer Research Institute (OSRI), enable students to gain hands-on experience in various disciplines, fostering their learning and fostering a strong foundation for their future careers.
){kind=link}